Each month RECORD reviews building product related web sites and blogs that might be of interest to our readership. We visit each site, kick the tires a bit, and share what it is about and how it functions. Please let us know if there is a site you've found particularly useful, well-designed, or easy to navigate. — Rita Catinella Orrell
 

www.armstrong.com/impactcalculator
Armstrong World Industries, which introduced the industry’s first ceiling recycling program in 1999, has added a fun, interactive, Environmental Impact Calculator to its Web site to help communicate the impact of recycling ceiling tiles. By entering the number of square feet of ceilings to be recycled, visitors can view the environmental impact, including number of tons of virgin raw materials saved, gallons of potable water saved, and kilograms of greenhouse gas that have not entered the atmosphere. Users can also click on each comparison to see an everyday analogy of what has been saved- a good tool to communicate the value of recycling ceiling tiles to clients, students, and others.
 

http://www.htltest.com
Hurricane Test Laboratory has redesigned their corporate Web site into a no-nonsense source of information on building product testing. Visitors will be able to start a project from any page of the site and find detailed information about test services, industry associations, and accreditations. The new client center page allows visitors to send drawings and project information using an easy contact form that is immediately delivered to HTL’s team of industry experts. In addition, customers planning a visit to one of HTL’s four US locations can visit the client center to plan their trip and get special hotel discounts. While the site isn’t flashy, the company also offers links to a Twitter feed and a regularly updated blog.